Chapter Fifteen

This room had a lot of strange and unfamiliar sounds. Machines that bleeped, low humming sounds, footsteps both distant and near, something that sounded like a water fall possibly liquid for consumption, clicking and another that sounded like squeaking and rustling. Kiki sat up on the bed straighter, closing her eyes as she tried to filter out each sound and hone in one in particular. So far, Beckett had been able to describe most of them. Especially the humming and clicking, it was a device called a computer, which stored information electronically. It sounded fascinating but he had just muttered something about being great when they bloody worked. One thing she had noticed about her new companion is that he spoke in a different manner to that of his co-workers and treated her differently and more kindly, the only other beingTeyla. The other people seemed to the regard her with mild hostility.

She may have been practically blind but Kiki was far from stupid.

"What is that sound?" Kiki asked.

Beckett scooted up a chair next to her bed and took a seat, watching her in complete fascination. "I'm afraid you're going to have to elaborate, can you describe it?" Kiki cocked her head to one side, in order to listen more intently to this new sound.

"It sounds erratic, like the sound you make when walking along crumpled woodland combined with soft cries. However, it sounds like there is no pattern to either." Thinking long and hard about it, Beckett inspected his lab area and something caught his eye. The cages where he kept the mice, he stood up and picked up a small one, carrying it back over. "Would it be this?"

Kiki listened in for a moment and opened her eyes; yes there was a distinct rise in volume. "Yes," she said opening her eyes and turning to him. The familiar white but something broke it up; she could not make it out. An object? "What is it?"

"It's not an it," Beckett said setting the cage down and pulling the catch. "It's a them."

"I do not understand."

"They're called mice, they're animals."

"Animals?" Kiki asked seeking further information. Beckett reached in, trying to catch one of the little buggers and cupped it in both hands to prevent harming it. "Yes, living beings, small mammals. Here, hold out your hands," he ordered. Kiki obeyed and he gently released the mouse, pushing her hands back down into her lap incase it decided to try and escape.

She jumped slightly at the furry thing moving in her hand, little tiny prickles walked along her hand and something cold tickled as it moved across her fingers. Kiki smiled slightly and Beckett brought her other hand up and placed it on top, pulling it back in a stroking motion to which the mouse squeaked. "Describe this mice."

"Actually, it's called a mouse. Mice is the plural term, indicating more than one."

"Then describe this mouse," Kiki said, the creature still crawling and squeaking.

"Well," Beckett said looking down at it. "It's small and covered in white fur, it has reddish eyes and a long pink tail. A small nose with whiskers, oh and it has four legs with tiny claws." Beckett saw she had started stroking it the same way that he had shown her and smiled. "The fur is what you can feel when you stroke it." Kiki closed her eyes, heat was emanating from this small mammal and it had calmed down as she stroked it. It was soothing until it squeaked.

"Why does it make that noise?"

"Because he likes you," Beckett replied with another smile as Kiki smiled brightly and opened her eyes. Looking down in an attempt to make out the small creature but all she saw was white.

"This is cosy," Sheppard said, practically waltzing into the room with Teyla to see Kiki and Beckett bounding over the mice. Beckett gave Kiki a few more seconds with the mouse before she handed it back to him, he cupped his hands and returned the mouse to the cage and back with it's brothers and sisters. Replaced the catch then carried it back to his lab.

"Hello Major Sheppard."

"Morning," he said to Kiki out of politeness more than anything.

"Good morning Kiki," Teyla said gently, moving over to Kiki and placing a hand on her shoulder. "I see you are finding your stay here interesting."

"Yes, I have never encountered such beings as a mouse," she replied then searched the colours for the darkest. "You wish to hear my story?"

"Yeah," Sheppard replied simply as Beckett rejoined them. "Tell it at your own pace," he added.

"Very well, I shall begin."

--

Weir made her way to McKay's quarters, pausing to take a look at her watch to see what time it was. It was unusual for him to miss any kind of meeting, and certainly not without any warning or informing her that he wouldn't be able to make it for one reason or another. "Rodney?" she said loudly as she got to the door, knocking gently then stepped in to see him still in bed. "Rodney?" Weir asked again, leaning over him.

He muttered and turned over, revealing a T-shirt with I'm with genius on it and an arrow pointing up at him. Weir reached out and put a hand on his chest, shaking him slightly. "Rodney!" McKay opened his eyes, looked up and yelping, pulling the covers up and over himself.

"What are you doing here?"

"You overslept," Weir replied. "You were supposed to meet with Doctor Zelenka at 8 o clock this morning."

"That's ridiculous," McKay said said sitting up; his head a little fuzzy and his feet were extremely cold for some reason. "I'm never tardy."

"Rodney, it's nearly 10."

"What? You can't be serious," McKay replied with a little laugh, until he saw the solid expression on her face as if for proof he brought up his arm and inspected his own watch. "By god the woman's right," he said throwing the covers up and getting out of bed. Weir stopped him and looked down at his arm, a red rash near his bandage.

"What is this?"

McKay looked down at it. "Must be allergic to the bandage or something," he said, pulling at it but not looking particularly concerned about it. "I'm getting it changed after lunch so I can ask Carson about it then."

"You don't want to do it now?" McKay stared at her, although it seemed like he was looking through her. "Rodney?"

He snapped out of it. "What?"

"I said you don't want to get it checked out now?" Weir repeated slowly.

"No of course not, I'll be fine." He moved over and pulled on a pair of pants. "Besides, far too busy." McKay stopped. "Do you mind?"

"Sorry," Weir said moving over to the door so he could get dressed in peace and without prying eyes, the door opened and she looked back. "Just make sure you do."

"I will. Now please," McKay said indicating the door. He was behind schedule as it was. Weir offered a smile then left him to it.